Chance encounter leads to movie role for Cahela

Monday

Aug 6, 2012 at 12:01 AMAug 6, 2012 at 6:37 PM

We've all had life throw us curve balls at one time or another — random acts, good or bad, that emerge through happenstance. For Keith Cahela of Boaz, some are better than others.While testing his race car one afternoon in July, Cahela was approached by the film crew for the upcoming movie “Space Warriors.” Crew members wanted to cast him and his crew in the shoot.

By Kelsey FloydTimes Staff Writer

We've all had life throw us curve balls at one time or another — random acts, good or bad, that emerge through happenstance. For Keith Cahela of Boaz, some are better than others.While testing his race car one afternoon in July, Cahela was approached by the film crew for the upcoming movie “Space Warriors.” Crew members wanted to cast him and his crew in the shoot.“They came pulling up, scouting a location to do some stuff, and I started talking to them,” Cahela said. “I had a brand-new car, and I guess they thought it was pretty. They called me about a week later — I didn't even know they had my number — and asked if I wanted a little part in the movie.”“Space Warriors” is about a teenage boy named Jimmy Hawkins, played by actor Thomas Horn (“Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close” with Tom Hanks), who gets a chance to fulfill his dream of going to Space Camp, along with five other talented youth from around the world.Former astronaut Col. Roy Manley, portrayed by Josh Lucas (“Sweet Home Alabama”), guides the team called Space Warriors through all the Space Camp challenges.Cahela will be portraying the father of Russell “Rusty” Riggs, who is approached with a “Golden Ticket” for the Space Camp.“I was surprised. I didn't even know it was for sure until I got there (Monday night),” Cahela said. “They called me and wanted me up there at 4 o'clock with my rig. And when I finally got there, it was real — you know? — it was a real movie. I met some actors from ‘Twilight' and from ‘Sweet Home Alabama.' I met some directors, and I'm getting paid to do what I love.”Cahela also mentioned that his crew will be in the movie, and the film crew will be back out Saturday night to shoot the team in action.“My son, Sawyer Cahela, was in it,” Cahela said. “Austin Huff was in it; Mack Bonds was in it — he played the fuel man; Johnathan Campbell was in it — they're all from this area.”But, ultimately, Cahela was proud to do what he loves and have that kind of recognition for it.“I've been a fan (of racing) since I was a little kid,” he said. “I used to watch Bobby Allison and all them through the years when I was a kid, and I really wanted to do it. There was a guy here, locally, that I use to help out, and I decided to build me a car. I built me a little ‘hobby car' and started from there. I'm just happy to have this opportunity.”It is unclear how the race car plays into the plot.“Space Warriors” is due in theaters in 2013. The movie is being shot on location at Huntsville's Space & Rocket Center. Directed by Sean McNamara, it stars Danny Glover, Dermot Mulroney, Trace Adkins, Laura Linney, Terrence Howard and Greg Kinnear.

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